The plan was to park at Laughingwater Creek trail on 123 and loop CW, up the Cowlitz Divide Trail > Wonderland > Panhandle Gap down to the road then, Owyhigh Lakes > Eastside Trail > Grove of the Patriarchs. I overslept so got a slightly later start than originally planned. In the larger picture it didn't matter... 

Generally speaking the trails were in great condition. I honestly don't recall having to climb over any downed trees on the whole route... If I did then they weren't notable. Water was plentiful with all the melt. There was some lingering snow above 6,400' from starting above Indian Bar up and over Panhandle but after the group site at Summerland there was no more on the route. I carried yaks (traction devices, not the long-haired domesticated bovid naturally found throughout the Himalayan region) but they stayed in the pack as the snow was soft enough and there was a good boot pack to pass even with trail runners. I did get a nice glissade in before the gap...

The trail up to Owyhigh is nice and wide! I met a group coming down that told me about a bear up by the lakes. I was hoping to see this fellow but that was not to be. Not surprisingly, he did not avail himself to me. He did however leave lots of fresh sign that he was in the area; poo piles and freshly clawed trees... This defiantly seems to be his area...

It was nice coast down to the Eastside trail as a lot of blow downs had been cleared throughout this section. Nice work MRNP!!

Moving towards the Grove of Super Ginormous trees, I happened upon my second ripening huckleberry patch...I found a smaller one going up the Cowlitz but this patch was certainly further along. I ate several table spoons of berries as I moved very slowly through ( I may even have stopped for several minutes)...

The Grove of the Patriarchs are a must see and although I've been through here before I had every intention of going back in. After a loop I was back at the car in no time.

It was a beautiful trip through an amazing place. It's sooo cool to live in a place where this is just a two hour drive away...

Wildlife roll call:

5 mountain goats, a bazillion marmots, chipmunks, pine squirrels, frogs, sooo many birds!!!

The parking lot was overflowing at 4pm, had to park along the road.

Followed the trail to the footbridge, and completed the short boardwalk loop past and around some giant Douglas Firs and Western Redcedars.

The trail was crowded, as expected. The crux of the trip was getting across the "one person at a time" footbridge...

Decided to take the family (husband and three boys ages 4, 7, &15 on a day road trip. Stopped at this hike along the way. It is an extremely short distance and easy to traverse. I had read previous reports about the area so we brought water shoes and towels to play in the stream. It was a beautiful sunny day and although the water was freezing it was still really fun to get in. The kids had a blast too. Note: this trail has posted signs for no pets. Not sure why but figured people would want to know.

We were warned that this trail gets really busy during the daytime so we decided to head in early and got to the trailhead at. 7:30am. There were 3-4 cars in the parking lot. It took us about 45mins to complete the trail. Got to see some incredibly tall and wide ancient Douglas Firs and Hemlocks. They’re magnificent! There’s also a stream you can reach. Water was super cold so we didn’t get in but would be great on a warm summer day.

Note: you need to cross a small suspension bridge to get to the old trees. Follow one person at a time instruction for a safer crossing. There’s a note on the way in off to the side but there’s none on the way back.

We did this hike before heading back home from our Mt Rainier National Park adventures. It's a laid back easy hike that everyone would enjoy.

There's a suspension bridge ahead that would only allow one person at a time. We were there when it's really busy but the wait isn't so bad. Some families and kids are enjoying the crystal clear stream below which you can access on both side of the bridge.

Take your time in the loop, walking besides the ancient trees. They are enthralling to look at.

This loop would only take you less than an hour. If you have more time to spare, do the Silver Falls Loop Trail too. Just cross the road when you get back to the parking area and you'll see a trail entrance.